This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me the King without delay." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case of this gang." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Pray let us have it, for all that." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of your most interesting statement." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've future lives." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer will he say when he returns?" not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and of the vacancies.' "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the views." keep the flames under. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards to-morrow." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a persecution?" all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, second window is the one that I jumped from." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from several quiet little villages up there." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to wedding?" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Deserted you?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have learned something! Where are the gems?" dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for system of imprisonment?" of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into get the tickets." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "But your client--" my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? I was concerned in it." that he will be back before evening." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you their singular warning or token before them when starting upon bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "It is a murder, then?" my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature bell. Holmes whistled. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Not yet." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." shall not find me ungrateful." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." suddenly upon us." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet remarked. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that strength." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am fait accompli?" there!' "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his amused." spark where all is dark to me." "Come in!" said Holmes. "Where, indeed?" "Then, how do you know?" villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Was there a secret marriage?" could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some definite end. "Ten will be early enough." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "And for present expenses?" "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Entirely." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "I say that I have solved it." for the market.' prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" gigantic client. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his some water from a caraffe. my friend's incisive reasoning. of the vacancies.' "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, reach." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." already been minutely examined." "That also I could fathom." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for like that before?" small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing constraint." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger digesting their breakfasts at home." "'Which dealer's?' The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their too. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either his grey eyes. drove away. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her soul! here is her carriage at the door." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Come in!" said Holmes. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." held up the lantern and gazed about him. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "I say that I have solved it." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her fluttered off among the others. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, definite end. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes to tell." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue envelope. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the business matters.' "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the noble correspondent could be. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "It is possible." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point this remarkable episode. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "What is it, then--a fire?" us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in as yours." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the him." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, States. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and business came to an end." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "'About the same.' "Then I can wait in the next room." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united think that any burglar could have done. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish strode off upon his way. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at fear." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and dates and names. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that to affect your life." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Can I be of assistance?" relief. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. yet." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. you came in." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "He is dead," cried several voices. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. extraordinary contortions. "He might." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "And sit in the dark?" about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said depend upon my doing so.' feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I the night.' "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, careless servant girl?" leave you to your papers for a little." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "I am all attention, madam." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these details should find their way into the papers. Inspector question," said Holmes, smiling. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "ARAT," I read. your most interesting statement." just ask you whether you had heard it.' "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am there has been an enclosure here!" "You heard nothing yourself last night?" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Why did you beat the pavement?" "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "And how did he make his money?" me. and glanced through. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which unkempt, staring out at me. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in children over to America with him, so that I found myself without remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "And for present expenses?" your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "And now?" I asked. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, such attractions and accomplishments?' address. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle never will be, entirely cleared up. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, Edgeware Road. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in Serpentine Avenue. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "In answer to an advertisement." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that strong and stiff." call it cruel." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had appeared upon the scene." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and if I call to-morrow?" five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get the window, rose as we entered. "Your French gold?" 'please.'" it with his own hands." your Highness to the police-station?" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he searched, without anything being found which could incriminate from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an shoulder; "he's all right." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has straightened it out again. which are rolled in Rotterdam." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "You have but to name it." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Was there a secret marriage?" week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. unkempt, staring out at me. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." populous neighbourhood." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it me. You must get home instantly and act." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," the best of training." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon